Labour Action

How quickly could labour action happen?

• The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) provided formal notice to begin labour action on Oct. 6, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., if a settlement is not reached before that date. 

What possible labour actions could be taken? 

• There is a range of possible outcomes, which may change as provincial bargaining continues until a settlement agreement is reached. These could include:
  • Work-to-rule: Teachers limit their duties to instruction and activities that take place only during school hours. (i.e., cancelling extracurricular activities, limited teacher availability before and after bell times, etc.)
  • Rotating strikes: Classes are cancelled and schools closed at specific sites or on specific days.
  • Full strike or lockout: All classes are cancelled and schools closed. Students do not attend school in person or online. No extracurricular activities, field trips or excursions will be taking place.

How will I be updated?

• If a strike is confirmed, families will receive an update once the Division has coordinated plans for school closures, communication, and supports. Updates will be shared through:
  
  • SchoolMessenger – direct messages to St. Paul Education families (email, SMS/text, phone for urgent messaging)
  • This Labour Action webpage
  • Division/school website school news
  • Division and school social media channels

If there is picketing, where would picketing locations be? 

• Picketing is regulated by the Alberta Labour Relations Board. Under labour law, employees may picket at the location of any Division school site or Central Office. SPERD will not necessarily know in advance when picketing might occur and at which school(s)/facility.

Will preschool programs continue during labour action?

• Yes. Division-operated preschool programs will continue to operate during labour action unless directed otherwise by the government.

What will happen with child care during labour action?

• Child care providers are independent, third-party programs. Families will be contacted directly by their provider regarding any service changes. Please reach out to your child care provider directly with any questions.

Will school bus transportation be available during labour action?

• Regular bus service will not be operating if schools are closed. However, buses will run temporarily at the start of labour action to ensure no student is left unattended. The Transportation Office will remain open for bus registrations and other services.

What if I need to contact my child’s school during a strike or lockout?

• During a strike or lockout, schools will be closed to students and phones at schools will not be answered. Families may still email their school’s general email address, and messages will be monitored. The Division Office will also remain open to assist with inquiries and respond to emergencies.

What is the Division’s role in the bargaining process?

• Teacher bargaining in Alberta is conducted centrally at the provincial level. This process is between:
  • The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA): representing Alberta’s teachers, and
  • The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA): representing the Government of Alberta and all public, separate, and Francophone school divisions
• Because of this central process, items such as teacher salaries and benefits are determined through the provincial collective agreement, not by individual school boards. Local bargaining can only begin once provincial bargaining has been completed.
• Our Division values the essential role that teachers and all staff play in our school communities. We respect the collective bargaining process and remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached without disruption to teaching and learning.

What supports are available if I feel stressed or anxious about labour action?

• We know that times of labour disruption can be stressful. While schools will be closed during a strike, community supports are available. Families can access resources through our Mental Health and Wellness page.

The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) have reached a tentative agreement in provincial negotiations. Both parties will now move through the ratification process to vote on the proposed agreement. A final decision on the tentative agreement will be made no later than October 1, 2025, based on the outcome of the votes. 

At this time, the ATA’s strike notice remains in effect, and our Division is prepared to implement contingency plans if necessary. We will continue to keep families informed as updates become available.

We remain hopeful for a positive resolution and appreciate your continued support and understanding as this process moves forward.

View the provincial announcement here.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has provided formal notice to begin labour action on Oct. 6, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., if a settlement is not reached before that date. The notice given by the ATA is a general strike impacting all Alberta school divisions. A general strike means that teachers and school administrators are required to stop all services and leave St. Paul Education facilities. Schools will be closed for all students.  

For now, there is no disruption to learning or any changes to normal operations. All St. Paul Education schools and facilities remain open, and classes and planned activities are continuing as normal. Community use continues to be available for booking St. Paul Education facilities. 

We remain hopeful that the provincial government and the ATA reach a negotiated settlement soon. We are committed to keeping families and staff informed and will share updates through our website, email and other communication channels as more information becomes available. 

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has announced the possibility of strike action beginning October 6, 2025, if a settlement is not reached. The ATA and the Teachers’ Employers Bargaining Association (TEBA) have returned to mediation, and discussions are ongoing. In the meantime, the Division is preparing contingency plans to address a range of possible scenarios. Support staff are expected to continue reporting to work during any disruption, unless directed otherwise by the government. In the event of a strike or lockout, schools would be closed for students, but community use of schools would continue. Families are encouraged to visit the Division website for updates.

St. Paul Education values the important contributions of all our staff to student learning and success. We respect the bargaining process and remain hopeful that the provincial government and ATA will reach a fair agreement.

At this time, there is no disruption to learning. All St. Paul Education schools and facilities remain open, and classes, activities, and community facility bookings are continuing as usual.

Recently, Alberta school boards voted to give the Teachers’ Employers Bargaining Association (TEBA) Board of Directors the authority to initiate a lockout of teachers if necessary. It does not give individual school boards the authority to lock out teachers. The purpose of the vote is to ensure that TEBA has the option to respond if the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) were to initiate job action, such as a strike. 

Collective bargaining with respect to salaries is between the ATA and TEBA; the local school board does not have a direct role in this process. Although negotiations between the parties broke off last week, TEBA has said they would welcome a counter proposal from the ATA should they be in a position to provide one.

If a strike or lockout were to occur, all school divisions, staff, and families would receive at least 72 hours’ notice before any job action begins.

We are committed to keeping families and staff informed. Any updates will be shared through our website, email, and other communication channels as soon as new information is available.

At this time, there is no disruption to learning or changes to normal operations. All St. Paul Education schools and facilities remain open, with classes and planned activities continuing as usual. Community use of our facilities also remains available for booking.

We highly value the dedication and contributions of all our staff and respect the collective bargaining process. We remain hopeful that the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the provincial government will reach a negotiated settlement.

We are committed to keeping families and staff informed and will continue to share updates through our website and SchoolMessenger as more information becomes available.

Read the letter sent to families on June 13: Alberta Teacher's Association Strike Vote Update